I didn’t write about the state government shutdown when we were in the midst of the mess. It was just too irritating. I made several trips to the east and west ends of the county during the shutdown, passing the bright orange temporary fencing and traffic cones blocking the entrance to our state parks. How much did the state spend on temporary fencing?
As secretary of a volunteer organization that has “adopted” a section of Highway 61, I received a letter from the state, informing us that highway cleanups were temporarily suspended. How much did the state spend mailing letters to all the volunteers that surely could have figured out that MN/ DOT wouldn’t be picking up trash bags during the shutdown?
And how much money was lost? From the lottery, from people who didn’t buy fishing licenses while visiting Minnesota, or from the myriad other fees and fines and collectibles that the state should have been collecting.
Then, when the state legislature and the governor reached a compromise that no one is really happy with, which just kicks the problem down the road, the federal government began its battle over the debt ceiling. The federal agreement this week does virtually the same thing that the state agreement did— postpones the inevitable. Something has to change to get our country’s finances back in balance.
I’m not an accountant, so perhaps I’m simplifying things too much. But listening to the deficit discussion in recent months and listening to pundits talk about the winners and the losers in the budget battle, I’ve wondered why both sides can’t give a little. When we talk about Democratic, Republican or Tea Party winners or losers, the only losers are the citizens of the United States.
So, how about this? Let’s cut spending and raise taxes. I know I’m going to have some heated discussions with friends on both sides of the aisle, but really, don’t we need to pull together to solve our economic problems? Just as our country did years ago with rationing and buying war bonds and working in the Civilian Conservation Corps, we all need to sacrifice a little for the good of all.
Instead of nibbling away at special funds or groups—for example, a solution proposed by some Minnesota legislators to reduce the deficit was to take funds from the snowmobile and/or ATV accounts of the Department of Natural Resources. Another plan attacked the Iron Range Resources fund established by Senator Doug Johnson.
How about this? Instead of taking huge chunks out of this budget item or that, how about taking 2-5% out of all budgets? Across the board, not one left. Yes, it would hurt, but we’re resourceful, we can figure out how to do more with less.
And, I know some of my friends are going to want to hang me for this but – raise taxes. Ouch, I said it. Look how much money has been raised to date with the state’s “Legacy Amendment,” which collects three-eighths of one percent on taxable sales. How about a similar tax that would sunset when the state once again has a healthy fund balance?
And how about instituting a tax on clothes? Yes, it would hurt. But I agree with Senator Tom Bakk, who supports the idea. It is one of the fairest methods of taxation. I buy jeans at Wal-Mart or Kohl’s for about $30. I can afford a tax of say, 5%, which would equal $1.50. The folks who can afford to buy the designer jeans that cost $175 can probably afford to pay $8.75.
I know I’m oversimplifying. But maybe that’s what we need to do. It’s not that complicated. When you have overspent your household budget, you cut back. You don’t go out to lunch or dinner as often. You don’t buy fancy jewelry or a new car. You clip coupons and maybe even pick up a second job to get caught up.
You don’t spend what you don’t have. Isn’t it time to ask our government to do the same? Politicians are people who, when they see light at the end of the tunnel, go out and buy some more tunnel.
John Quinton
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